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Northern House Wren

Silhouette WrensWrens
Northern House WrenTroglodytes aedon
  • ORDER: Passeriformes
  • FAMILY: Troglodytidae

Basic Description

A plain brown bird with an effervescent voice, the Northern House Wren is a common backyard bird across most of the U.S. and southern Canada. Listen for its rush-and-jumble song in summer and you’ll find this species zipping through shrubs and low tree branches, snatching at insects. Northern House Wrens will gladly use nestboxes, or you may find their twig-filled nests in old cans, boots, or boxes lying around in your garage.

More ID Info
image of range map for Northern House Wren
Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding
Range map provided by Birds of the World
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Find This Bird

As with many birds, your ears can help lead you to Northern House Wren sightings. Start in the right habitat: backyards, parks, or open woods, then listen. The song can be hard to learn at first, because the notes are nondescript and variable, and because there’s simply so much of it—so loud and insistent—that it’s hard to believe such a small bird is making it.

Other Names

  • Chochín Criollo Norteño (Spanish)
  • Troglodyte familier (French)

Backyard Tips

Wrens love brush piles for cover, protection, and a source of insects. If you need to prune trees or cut brush in your yard, consider heaping the cuttings into a pile as a safe place for birds to gather. More tips for attracting birds

Consider putting up a nest box to attract a breeding pair. Make sure you put it up well before breeding season. Attach a guard to keep predators from raiding eggs and young. Find out more about nest boxes on All About Birdhouses, where you'll find plans for building a nest box of the appropriate size for Northern House Wren.

Bird-friendly Winter Gardens, Birdsleuth, 2016.

  • Cool Facts